Hello all, I've come to a dilemma as far as upgrading my home theatre. I am about to purchase a new plasma to replace my Rear projection TV. I have a set of M80's 2 QS8's as well as a VP150. I live in an apartment so there isnt a need for a sub. The questions arises when thinking of how, or if, I can place the VP150 above the new 50" plasma that I am about to get. I need one that will be sturdy enough to support, so the thing wont come crashing down. (I've read the horror stories) Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks

One option would be the Full Metal Bracket assuming the plasma TV is sufficiently close to the wall. MarkSJohnson (I think) also made a very spiffy floor standing rack to hold the center speaker over an RPTV with a very skinny top, just like your plasma...

Can the Full metal brackets actually support and hold the VP150? I just checked the back of my VP150 it doesnt seem to have any thing to attach the bracket to.

There should be a single black bolt on the back near the center. The bolt goes into a metal plate inside the VP150 if I remember correctly...



Yep, see above...

No bolt if you have an older VP150. Mine from 4/03 (was it really that long ago?!?!) does not have that bolt. I think that started soon after I got mine.

I had to drill holes into my VP150 per instructions I got from Axiom to use the FMB (which I got later). The FMB can and will hold a VP150, I promise!

Regards,
Rich

Man, I just checked,I guess I got my VP150 before that bolt was put on. Can you give me those same instructions, or point me to some one I can ask?

Thanks

You could try Axiom to see if they can send you the insert, however, not sure how you would place it in position unless you could remove one of the front woofers to reach inside of the cabinet.

To answer your question, yes you can put a center above the screen as long as it is pointing towards the listeners. Idealy, it is best if the tweeters are lined up as close as possible with the left/right main tweeters.

Probably best to give Axiom a call or email. They used to have diagrams on the web site indicating where you should screw the FMB to the back of each speaker model, but I guess they took the pics down after shipping the mounting bolt for a while.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/contact.html

Behold my FMB mounted VP150



Q: Can the FMB actually hold the VP150?

A: Yes.

- D

just make sure you hit an actual wood stud. i dont think toggle bolts will do the job.

True. The FMB doesn't spread the load over a large enough area. I wouldn't trust even heavy duty drywall anchors that small an area.

actually the toggles will hold just fine but the sheetrock will give out lol

Personally, I'd probably go with something like this B-Tech BT15 mount myself ... a couple of strips of well placed Velcro and you should be able to angle the speaker down if necessary.

Or ...

Maybe you could use a couple of the QS8/4 'T' brackets (along with the 'T' bracket speaker mounting plates) and mount the center in this manner. Maybe fabricate a couple of shims or wedges to go behind the 'T' bracket so you can aim the speaker. QS Mounting Brackets ... Steps 1 thru 5.

I don't particularly like the idea of a single bracket holding a 21 pound speaker with a single screw on my wall, it may very well work though.

Hi Rick,

I too was skeptical about FMB holding onto VP150. After consulting with Brent from Axiom, he confirmed it would, and the FMB has been holding onto VP150 for more than 2 weeks now, in my case.

I think the key is to follow the FMB instructions to screw into wall stud, and tighten the brackets using the allen key provided. I am impressed with the bracket design, especially at how flexible I can tilt the VP150. The only thing I didn't like was the 2 wall stud screws, I replaced with my own drywall screws.

-Ken

That's great that the FMB worked out good for you Ken, it would certainly take care of the aiming issue. I have a couple of the FMB brackets but have never used them because I ended up relocating the surround speakers before I had the chance to use the brackets ... they are built sturdy. Did you have to find a centered stud so the speaker and TV line up evenly?

Another problem I have encountered with single mounting brackets is that our house is concrete block constructed and the exterior walls have 1" x 2" furring strips holding the drywall and I have been reluctant in the past of trusting the strips to hold much of a load.

Yeah, indeed I had to mark all studs and find the one that is most centered for TV placement.

The Omnimount 10.0s I have been waiting for a long while finally arrived. I'll spend sometime this weekend to mount the remaining 2 QS8s on ceiling rafter. Can't wait to have the final 7.0 setup (still haven't decided on sub...)

-Ken

2 M80
4 QS8
1 VP150
Denon 3805

Sounds like you are in for a treat Ken! Any thoughts on a sub at all?

You know, I was reading the specs of M80s which can go down to mid-30s Hz, and I am not sure what is the lowest range my and family members' ears can really listen at. So I am gonna experiment with crossover at 60 or even 40Hz and listen. Really I was trying to justify whether a sub is needed for my case (which is 50% HT 50% music).

However, I did a lot of searchings on Hsu and SVS since they are mentioned a lot here.

I was reading with great interest on another thread about crossover F for M80s. Learning a great deal from people like you and others on all things audio and visual !